Why Major in Psychology?

An undergraduate degree in psychology enables students to learn how individuals’ behaviors can affect their health, well-being, and ability to cope with everyday problems and adversity. Students study how race, gender, family structure, and even mental health can impact behavior. Students develop strong analytical skills which are important when working with people to address issues, determine potential causes and develop appropriate interventions.  From studying brain connectivity to developmental milestones to personality differences, psychology majors learn the necessary skills to effectively work with others in accomplishing their personal, educational, and career goals.  

Sample counseling-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Direct Support Provider
• Employment Specialist
• Youth Counselor
• Addictions Counselor

Sample counseling-related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Mental Health Counselor
• Social Worker
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Career Counselor
• Academic Advisor

Sample counseling-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.)
• Psychiatrist (M.D.)

Special Considerations

The majority of career options in the counseling field will require an advanced degree in counseling or a related discipline (student development, social work, marriage and family therapy, etc.). Students should supplement their psychology coursework with additional courses in other interest areas (loss and trauma, substance abuse, sexuality, gender studies, etc.). It is recommended that students gain experience outside the classroom—doing research, volunteering, or completing an internship—in order to develop necessary skills for a counseling career and also to be competitive for graduate programs.

Why Major in Psychology?

Many of today’s health care issues involve behavioral components—people may become sick/injured as a result of behavioral choices and often have to make changes in behavior as part of their treatment.  Studying psychology provides students with an understanding of the many factors that influence behavior—from brain mechanisms, to family and friends, personality, and mental health issues.  This knowledge allows students to become more effective health care providers.   Coursework required for the psychology major also allows students to develop strong analytical skills which are necessary in evaluating health problems, determining potential causes and developing intervention/treatment plans. 

Sample health care-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Community Health Worker
• Home Care Assistant
• Psychometrist
• Wellness Coach

Sample health care-related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Behavior Specialist
• Hospital Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Health Administrator
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Child Life Specialist
• Genetic Counselor

Sample health care-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Medical Doctor (other than Psychiatry)
• Physical Therapist

Special considerations

Students who plan to pursue professional school (medical school, dental school, PT program etc.) would complete the “pre-professional” course sequence as well as completing a major in psychology.  Often students focus more heavily on the science coursework in the early years in order to be prepared to take professional exams (MCAT, DAT) by the summer after the junior year. 

Why Major in Psychology?

Employers in business settings know psychology majors will have a strong foundation in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. A psychology background can be useful in a business setting in order to improve the productivity, health, and quality of work life for employees. Psychology majors who go on to work in human resources may help an organization with staffing, training, and employee development. Having a background in psychology may provide individuals skills in testing and assessments in order to determine optimal selection in hiring and promotion processes. Psychology majors may work as management consultants, who have knowledge in areas like strategic planning and quality management and may also help employees to cope with organizational change. Psychology majors may also have an interest in studying consumer behavior—what influences people to make certain decisions—which can be important in a variety of business-related positions.

Sample business-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Human Resources specialist
• Recruiter
• Trainer
• Sales Associate
• Marketing Associate
• Manager

Sample business-related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Human Resources Manager or Director
• Sales Director 
• Marketing Manager or Director

Sample business-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
• Consultant
• Research Scientist

Special Considerations

Students should plan on supplementing their psychology coursework with additional courses in business and/or additional areas of interest (nonprofits, engineering, counseling, government). Gaining experience through an internship or other job-related experience is important in giving students practical experience outside of the classroom environment. An advanced degree will allow for more opportunities to work in management and consulting positions.

Why Major in Psychology?

Specialized knowledge about human behavior, sensory systems and information processing is important for people interested in Bioengineering or Ergonomics/Human Factors.  Students who study Psychology and Engineering may be involved in designing artificial organs, creating efficient information displays or even designing smart homes to help elderly people live at home. 

Why Major in Psychology?

The legal system interacts with people during some of the most stressful and difficult times in their lives.  An understanding of why people behave the way they do and ways to produce behavior change is necessary.  Studying psychology provides students with an understanding of the many factors that influence behavior—from brain mechanisms, to family and friends, personality, and mental health issues.  Coursework required for the psychology major also allows students to develop strong analytical skills. .

Attorneys use these skills to  evaluate legal issues and determine the best course of action for their clients.Counselors help individuals understand and deal with issues that lead them to criminal behavior.  Clinical Psychologists might be involved in assessing competency to stand trial or doing custody evaluations. 

Sample legal system-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Police Office 
• Probation Office
• Parole Office
• Customs Inspector
• Loss Prevention Specialist

Sample legal system-related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Social Worker
• Counselor

Sample legal system-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist
• Attorney

Special considerations

Students who plan to pursue law enforcement professions should take relevant courses (and maybe earn a minor) from Sociology, Criminology and Human Relations. Students planning to attend law school should take classes in Philosophy and Political Science as electives. 

Why Major in Psychology?

Studying psychology is great preparation for working in education. Psychology majors can learn how to work with students with learning, mental health, and emotional issues, as well as physical disabilities. They can gain knowledge of student development in a variety of contexts, can implement strategies to help students succeed in the classroom, and can assist with barriers affecting positive student outcomes.  Having a thorough understanding of the behavior of children, adolescents, and adults and an understanding of developmental theories and approaches to treatment can benefit students who want to work in a variety of educational settings.

Sample education-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

Secondary Education Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Daycare Instructor
Teacher’s Assistant/Aide
Before & After School Program Worker
Admission Counselor

Sample education-related job titles with a master’s degree:

Guidance Counselor
School Counselor
Speech/Language Pathologist
Academic Advisor
Career Advisor

Sample education-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

School Psychologist
Educational Psychologist

Special Considerations

Many professions within education will require state teaching licensure or a number of education-based courses in addition to psychology courses. For teaching licensure, students would need to apply and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program at Iowa.  Admission is competitive. Students who are not interested in teaching licensure may still want to take some courses through the College of Education in topics such as educational psychology, student development, and working with diverse populations.

Why Major in Psychology?

Employers in research settings know psychology majors will have excellent analytical skills and the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data.  It is also valuable to understand how characteristics such as mental illness, personality, or life experiences influence research participants.   Researchers may work in a variety of settings including universities,  pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and advertising firms.

Sample research-related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Research Assistant
• Lab Manager

Sample research-related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Senior Research Assistant
• Program Manager

Sample research-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist
• Research Scientist

Special Considerations

Employers appreciate good data analytic and research skills.  It is a good idea to take extra coursework in Statistics and to work as an undergraduate research assistant. 

Why Major in Psychology?

A psychology background can be useful in the arts.  Understanding perceptual processes, individual differences in emotion and mental health can help students plan and create works that speak to various issues or feelings.  The use of creative works can be very effective therapeutic tools.  Psychology majors may work as performers, as administrators or as therapists.

Sample arts-related job titles with a bachelor's degree:

• Museum Display Creator
• Singer
• Dancer
• Painter
• Violinist

Sample arts-related job titles with a master's degree:

• Art Therapist
• Music Therapist

Sample arts-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Professor

Special Considerations

Students who plan to pursue  professions in the arts should take relevant courses (and maybe earn a minor) from Art, Art History, Dance, Music or Museum Studies. 

Why Major in Psychology?

Studying psychology provides students with an understanding of the many factors that impact athletes and the variety of professionals that support athletes—from brain mechanisms, to understanding of the human body, personality, and mental health issues.  This knowledge allows students to become more effective counselors, trainers and performance enhancers. Students also develop an understanding of the importance of physical activity and health across the lifespan. Coursework required for the psychology major also allows students to develop strong analytical skills which are necessary in evaluating athletic performance and developing intervention/treatment plans. 

Sample sports related job titles with a bachelor’s degree:

• Coaching
• Team Management
• Wellness Coach

Sample sports related job titles with a master’s degree:

• Mental Health Counselor
• Occupational Therapist
• College Sports Support Staff

Sample health care-related job titles with a doctoral degree:

• Psychologist
• Medical Doctor (other than Psychiatry)
• Physical Therapist

Special considerations

Students who plan to pursue professional school (medical school, Ph.D programs, PT program etc.) would complete the “pre-professional” course sequence as well as completing a major in psychology.  Often students focus more heavily on the science coursework in the early years in order to be prepared to take professional exams (MCAT, DAT) by the summer after the junior year. 

Because Psychology majors possess many skills, they may find rewarding careers in a variety of different fields. 

The list includes professions that are not necessarily covered by one of the other realms:

• Diplomacy
• Non-profit Agencies
• Urban and Regional Planning
• Library Science